Members of the Staten Island Academy of Performing Arts sing "God Bless America" during their Tribute to America Show at The Unitarian Theater in New Brighton on Sept. 11 to help raise funds for Staten Island Project Home Front.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Italian Heritage and Culture Month translates into a month-long celebration that kicks off with the DaVinci Society Scholarship Dinner and book signing at the Hilton Garden Inn on Thursday, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the event support scholarship funding for Wagner College students, as well as Society sponsored programming.

Following the fundraiser, Wagner will host a series of special events on its campus:

On Sunday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m., the film “Uncle Nino” will be shown in Spiro Hall. A discussion will follow moderated by Frank Polizzi, former research librarian at Wagner.

On Sunday, Oct. 10, at 3:30 p.m., there will be an exhibit opening and reception for well-known Staten Island artist Fran D’Atria Romano, whose artwork will be on display at the Spotlight Gallery in the Horrmann Library. Later that day, at 5 p.m., program of Italian love songs will be performed by Alba Mazza and Antonio Guarna at the Performance Center in Campus Hall.

On Friday, Oct. 15, at 5 p.m., Wagner students will participate in an “Italian Idol” singing competition, also in the Performance Center in Campus Hall.

Then on Sunday, Oct. 17, at 5 p.m. in Spiro Hall, a film on John Basilone, a highly decorated U.S. Marine in World War II will be shown, followed by a discussion with John Dabbene, former CEO of the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum.

On Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Faculty Dining Room in the Union Building, Richard Mancino, executive Chef at Wagner College, will host a demonstration on Italian-style cooking. A question-and-answer session will follow.

NO STRESS SEMINAR

Swami Parthasarathy, keynote speaker to Nobel laureates and world-renowned author/philosopher and researcher, will present a seminar titled “Success Without Stress,” at the Institute for Basic Research, Willowbrook, on Saturday from 10:15 a.m. until noon. The presentation will focus on eternal principles of success at work, harmony in relationships and peace of mind.

Parthasarathy is the author of numerous best-selling books, including “Governing Business and Relationships” and “The Eternities, Vedanta Treaties.”

Described as a “stressbuster,” Parthasarathy will speak on topics such as: Human relationships, principles of success, effective management, ethical leadership and productivity in personal life and business.

Admission is free.

The Institute for Basic Research is located at 1050 Forest Hill Rd. For further information, consult www.vedantausa.org or call Dr. D. Parikh at 732-469-0799.

Weather permitting, participants will gather on the flagstone patio, surrounded by the woodland, to read from the works of Ikkyu, Basho, Ryokan, plus a few surprises. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be moved indoors around the fireplace. The program, for all ages, is free and wheelchair-accessible.

HEALTH AWARENESS

The South Ozone Park Medical Lions Club, in conjunction with Royal Pontifical Medical Alumni and the Philippine Medical Association in America, will sponsor The Health Awareness/Wellness Day on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at St. Sylvester Parish School Hall, Concord.

On offer will be free services and testing, including: Hypertension and diabetes screening, glaucoma screening, cardiopulmonary screening, podiatry and dental screenings, and height/weight metabolic index and nutrition counseling for adults 20 and older.

St. Sylvester’s Parish is located at 844 Targee St.

CELEBRATIONS

Happy birthday today to John McHugh of New Dorp, who turns 80. John is past grand knight of Manresa Council, Knights of Columbus, and past president of the Staten Island Baseball Old Timers.